William Saliba reveals he wants to stay at Marseille in cheeky Champions League snub to Arsenal
ARSENAL centre-back William Saliba has yet again reiterated his desire to stay on loan at Marseille after helping the club secure Champions League football.
The 21-year-old will be returning to the Emirates following an impressive stay at the Ligue 1 club where he featured in 51 games in all competitions.
Saliba, who is yet to make his first team debut for the Gunners since joining in 2019, helped Marseille finish second in the French top-flight.
His dazzling displays saw him earn his France international debut in March, while he was also named as the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
Gunners fans are desperate to see the youngster be reintroduced back into the Arsenal squad, but the player has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain at the Stade Velodrome.
Speaking earlier this month, the ex-Saint-Etienne star labelled Marseille as "my club" as declared it would be his "pleasure" to stay.
READ MORE ON ARSENAL
And he has now confirmed that he wishes to keep on at Marseille in order to play in Europe's premier competition.
His comments could be seen as a dig at Arsenal who look set to be playing in the Europa League next term.
Quoted by after Marseille's 4-0 win against Strasbourg, Saliba said: "I want to come back and play the Champions’ League.
"I have never played in it and I want to discover it here.”
latest arsenal news
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
As well as Marseille, AC Milan have been linked with a move to sign Saliba on a permanent deal.
Meanwhile Atletico Madrid are another club said to be keeping tabs on his situation.
Saliba isn't guaranteed of playing time next season at Arsenal with Ben White and Gabriel Arteta's first-choice centre-back pairing.
Speaking in April, Saliba warned the Spanish gaffer he won't be returning to North London if he isn't guaranteed to feature regularly.